'Plumber's Building' Razed in Revitalization Step

Photos by Mike Yourishin, courtesy of Prince George’s County government.

Prince George’s County officials and community leaders gathered to watch the razing of “The Plumber’s Building,” located at 3807 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The demolition took place to create space for Studio 3807, a new state-of-the-art, mixed use building, which will include 147 market rate apartments, 6,000 square feet of artist work space, and 6,000 square feet of retail space.

The new building’s construction will be one of the final development pieces to implement the vision of the Arts District that was established a decade ago, according to Prince George’s County officials.

At the demolition, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III took the first swipe at the old “Plumber’s Building.”

“I am excited for the arrival of Studio 3807 and look forward to them opening their doors in a community of creativity and opportunity,” Baker said.

“This project can serve as a model for how the county and a municipalities can work with the community and a capable developer to provide the kind of housing, retail and art amenities that help make a community walkable and livable,” said Eric. C. Brown, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development.

Financing for the project includes developer’s equity, loans, Prince George’s County Revenue Authority financing, Maryland state financing and conventional financing--making this a $36 million dollar project.

Overall, the Redevelopment Authority is supporting five infill redevelopment projects in the Gateway Arts District: two in Brentwood, two in Mount Rainier, and one in North Brentwood, which will result in over 240 new units of market rate housing and 25, 000 square feet of new retail.